Chapter 51

The air in the alley stilled, my breath was uneven, and I knew I was panicking again. To choose a side? I had to choose between being a hero or a villain? I can't choose. I always wanted to be a hero... but what Dabi said about opening my eyes is true. So much has happened... the hero society is crumbling... I start overthinking, panic rising in my body. Dabi holds onto me tighter and waits till I calm down before he speaks again. He sighs and takes another drag of his cig.

"Damn it, Ans... you need to take care of yourself."

I chuckled weakly. "You're one to talk..."

We both stayed in silence for another moment, the weight of what hung in the air a suffocating blanket. I knew he saw the internal war raging within me, the conflict between the ideal hero I aspired to be and the reality of the broken system I found myself in.

Dabi finally broke the silence, his voice lower, almost a murmur. "Look… I don't want you choosing, and honestly, I don't give a fuck… but you need to see this as a whole picture. You really think I do shit without reasoning? Come on, Ans, you know me. I wouldn't join the League and do all this without a motive."

He was right. My mind flashed back to my childhood with Touya before he became Dabi. Even then, he was calculating, strategic. His anger, his intensity, always had a purpose. He would never do anything without reason even when we were kids and he told me not to get mad at bullies right away and he would strike them when they least expected. He is waiting on something bigger. This isn't about society or heros or even the innocent people hell its not even about the U.A students this is between him and endeavor the man who hurt him and killed him....this is between him and the real devil. He doesn't care about the other things, if endeavor was out of the picture i dont think he would even be in the league to start....so now its about revenge....

"I know..."I say quietly. "...but isn't there a better way? Without hurting people?"

He takes another drag and leans back on the brick wall again, smoke curling around his scarred face. "Mmm, well… not really. The whole point is to create chaos and break Endeavor… otherwise if he wasn't in the picture, I wouldn't even touch any of society."

I nodded, the truth hitting me with the force of a punch. "I know… that isn't you… you keep to yourself, so for you to do something without motive is weird."

He chuckled, probably still shocked I remembered. He sighs "look, I will say this… I will contact you a heads up to try and save some people or whatever you heros do… but when time strikes, that's it, no stopping,"

I smirked. "Thanks… that means a lot."

He nodded. "Uh huh, whatever."

I grinned and hugged him. "I missed my friend…"

He chuckled. "Yea me too even if your a pain in the ass."

I scoffed. "Hey fucking rude!"

Dabi laughed harder noticing my stuborness. These times I missed him am I playing a dangerous game yes…is it worth it….yes….i have no regrets….

We exchanged numbers, a secret lifeline between two worlds. As we walked back, Hawks and Shigaraki were bombarding Peter with questions, an amusing sight. "Sooo what's the deal with you three?" Peter asked with a smirk.

I scoffed and laughed, knowing his humor never changes. Shigaraki blushed, Hawks chuckled but Dabi gave a casual answer of figuring it out or whatever that meant, and i chuckled "ok so now what?"

Hawks glanced around. "We keep this a secret and we break the truth in once in for and show everyone what hero society is really like" we all nodded.

That plan was a risk but one worth taking people needed the truth more than ever not false hope. All Might may have retired but his work ethic and legacy didn't. We will pick up the pieces and move forward but…in our own way even if it means playing dirty….its a risk…but one we are willing to take….

Growing up with Inko and Hizashi, I had always felt a sense of responsibility towards Izuku. He was my little brother, and I would do anything to protect him. My overprotectiveness made him annoyed at times, but he knew it came from a place of love. He had to live in the shadow of my immense power, and that weighed heavily on my heart. Then his quirk manifested. One For All.

My friendship with Diamond and relationship with Momo were also important to me. Diamond was my greatest female best friend and was there for me when the hero society felt like it was corrupt and momo has also been there for me since i joined U.A high.

Now, standing in this grimy alley, I was torn. Dabi's words echoed in my mind, the cracks in hero society that I had noticed myself widening into chasms. All Might's retirement had left a void, and the heroes who remained were struggling to maintain order, often prioritizing fame and glory over genuine help.

Then there was Izuku. My baby brother. His unwavering belief in heroism, his pure heart, his determination to save everyone with a smile – it was everything I admired and wanted to protect. I couldn't bear the thought of dragging him into this darkness, of exposing him to the harsh realities that had disillusioned me.

But…in this moment…i am not alone…i am with people who truly understand me….and its a relief…i don't have to fake I can just breath….and be myself no wonder Hawks came to them, they know how to…

The faces of my friends flashed through my mind – Diamond, Alex, even Momo. They were all caught in this web of deception, struggling to navigate a system that was rigged against them. Could I really stand by and watch them suffer, all in the name of maintaining a false sense of security?

The weight of the world pressed down on me, suffocating me. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a precipice, a chasm of uncertainty yawning beneath me. One wrong step, and I could lose everything – my friends, my family, my sense of self.

But as I looked at Dabi, at the raw pain and anger etched on his face, I knew I couldn't abandon him. He was my friend, my brother in all but blood, and he needed me. And maybe, just maybe, by working with him, I could find a way to bridge the gap between two worlds, to create a better, more honest society.

The first step was truth, no matter how painful.

So, standing there in the alley, I made a decision. I would walk the line, navigate the gray areas, and do whatever it took to protect those I cared about. I would play the game, but on my own terms. This time…I am going to win, no matter what.